Current-controlling device.



H. N. OTT.

cunnsm commune DEVICE.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 24, 1913.

1,135,608, Patented Apr. 13, 1915.

. I SHEETS-SHEET 1.

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H. N. OTT.

CURRENT CONTROLLING DEVICE.

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Patented Apr. 13, 1915.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

H. N. OTT.

CURRENT CONTROLLING DEVICE. APPLICATION HLED 'IAY 24, 1913.

1,135,608. Patented Apr. 13, 1915.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

HARVEY N. o'rT, or nnrimnmnnw Yonx, assremon To srmzcnamms couramr, or

BUFFALO, NEW YORK.

CURRENT-CONTROLLING DEVICE.

Specification of Letters Ilatent.

Application nice m a4, 1913. Serial no. was-1s.

Dev-ices of this kind as heretofore con- I structed are either used in connection with a switch or other independently operable means for opening and closingthe circuit, or they are provided with a segment or contact which is insulated from the circuit and with which the movable contact is adapted to engage for opening the circuit. The first mentioned construction requires the manipulation of two separate members or devices for regulating the flow of current in a circuit and the last mentioned construction is obj ectionable owing to the destructive arcs which are formed when the movable contact opens the circuit.

, The objects of this invention are to construct a current controlling device which is provided with a switch which is actuated by the movement of the movablecontact member of the device, so that the movement of this movable member alone serves both to actuate the switch to open and close the ci r cuit and to regulate the flow of current in the circuit; also to produce a switch of strong and reliable construction which is adapted to be actuated by the movable member of the current controlling device; also to improve the construction of devices of ihis kind in the respects hereinafter speci- In the accompanying drawings, consisting of three sheets: Figure 1 is a rear elevation of a support havingthe current controlling device embodying the invention mounted thereon and showing diagrammatically the circuit connections. Fig. 2 is :1V similar view showing the parts of the device in different positions. Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional elevation thereof on line 33, Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a fragmentary rear elevation showing the parts of the switch in their closed position. Figs. 5and 6 are secin the county of Erieand State ofNew' tional' elevations on line 5.5, Fig. 3, showing the parts in the same positions as in Figs. 1 and 2, respectively. Figs. 7 8 and 9 are fragmentary views showing parts of the switch in elevation and showing the parts in different positions. I Fig. 10 'is.a fragmen- Patented Apr. 13, 191 5.

tary sectional plan thereof on line 1010,

Fig. 9. Figs 11 and 12 are fragmentary rear elevat1ons thereof, partly in section, show ng the parts of the switch in different positions.

Like reference characters refer to like parts in the several figures. I

represents a suitable support upon which the parts of the circuit controlling device are mounted and which, in the construction shown, is in the form of an insulating plate or panel.

Fig. 3, represents an actuating arm whlch, as shown, is adapted to move over the front face of the panel and which is rigidly connected by means of a pin b to a contact arm B which is located in rear of the panel and is movable parallel therewith.

The two'arms are suitably insulated from each other, the pin 6 in the construction shown being made of insulating material.

6' represents a handle for the actuating arm, and b a pointer on the. arm which is adapted to register with a scale I; which is suitably secured to the panel and is graduated to indicate the 'fiow of current corresponding to the position of the arms B B. The contact arm is provided at its outer end with the usual spring or yielding contact shoes or members I) which are electrically connected with the arm B and are adapted to bear against contact segmentsb, suitably secured to the rear face of the panel A. The segments shown are provided with screws or bolts 1) to which the terminals of suitable units for resisting the flow of electric current can be secured. These units are represented diagrammatically at C C in Fig. 1. All of these parts may he of any usual or suitable construction. and means other than the actuating arm B can be employed for moving the contact arm into engagement with the several contact segments.

, The device is provided with a. switch which is so constructed that the initial movement of the actuating arm closes an electric circuit through the switch and the movement of the arm in the direction to decrease the strength of the current finally opens the circuit by again actuating the switch. In

, the construction shown for this purpose the contact arm B is adapted to actuate a switch comprising astationary switch member E 5 secured to the panel or support A,- a switch member F, which is secured to an extension D of the contact arm, and a movable memher or connecting plate G pivoted at g on the panel A and adapted to swing into and out of engagement with the switch members E and F. The switch member E is adapted to be connected to the electriccircuit through a binding post or terminal ewhich is secured thereto and projects outwardly from the front face of the panel A. The member E comprises a plate secured to the panel and having a contact portion or blade 6 which is adapted to engage with contact portions g of the connecting plate G when the switch is closed. The switch member F consists'of a blade which is adapted to enter into a slotted contact portion 9* of the connecting plate when the plate is swung to its closedposi tion. The contact portion 9 of the'connecting plate is curved in such a manner as .to

ployed for swinging the connecting plate' on its pivot to open and close the circuit For'swinging the connecting plate into its' circuit closing position, a switch opening arm H is pivoted at one end on the extension D of they contact arm and the outer end thereof is connected by a spring h to the extension D. The outer end of the opening armH is adapted to engage a pin H which is preferably surrounded by an. insulating 40 bushin h and is secured on the connecting plate in such a manner that when the extension of the contact arm moves to the right in Figs. 11 and 12, the arm will en'- 'e the pin and stretch the spring 71. which tendstogwing the connecting plate on its pivot. Thes singing of the connecting plate out of its circut closin position, is, however, prevented by asprmg pressed pawl- I,

pivoted at i to the connecting plate G and which is adapted to engagea pin 71' projecting outwardly from the switch member E, Fig. 9. The pawl is provided with a pin 71 which is. adapted to be engaged by a pin I, secured to the extension D of the contact 5 arm to swing the pawl on its pivot ut of engagement with the 'pin "5'. While this Y contact arm' is being moved to swing the pawl I out of engagement with the pin a", the spring h is being, stretched, and when the pawl is out of engagement with the pin 5', the tension of the spring It will cause the connecting plate to swing rapidly on its pivot to open the circuit. This rapid movement of the connecting member greatly decreases the injurious effects ofthe are formed on opening the circuit. The movement of the arm H by the spring his limited by a I stop pin k on the extension D of the contact arm which is adapted to engage an extension h of the arm H. The pawl I is actuated by a spring 5 and the pin F, ongaging with the edge of the connecting plate G limitsthe movement of the pawl by the spring. When the connecting plate moves into its engaging or circuit closing position, the pawl rides over the pin 2', as shown in Fig. 8, intoits holding position, shown in Fig. 9. The positive engagement of the pawl with the pin 5 prevents the accidental opening of the switc For swinging the connecting plate to close the switch, a bell crank lever K is provided, which i is pivoted at k on the connecting plate G and one arm of which is adapted to e engaged by the pin I on the-extension D of the contact arm. The other arm of the bell crank lever is connected to the connecting plate G by a spring is which normal y holds the arm against a stop: pin B. The pin 1' on the extension of the contact arm when moved to the left in Figs. 5 and 6 tends to cause the connecting plate to swing into its circuit closing position. Means are, however, provided for holding the connecting plate against swinging into its circuit closing position, so that the bell crank lever K will be swung on its pivot and the spring is stretched until the holding means are released, whereupon the tension of the spring will quickly move the connecting plate into its engaging or circuit closing position. The means for holding the connectmg plate against swinging into its circuit closing position are preferably constructed as follows A pawl L ispivoted at Z on the extension D of the contact arm and is yieldingly held by means of a spring Z against a stop pin Z secured tothe extension D. The pawl has a hooked portion Z which is adapted to engage with a pin L on the connecting plate G to hold the plate G in its open circuit position, as shown in Fig. 6, until the spring It has been stretched by the engagement of the pin I with the bell crank lever K. Upon further movement of the extension D to the left in Fig. 6 the end of the pawl L will be moved out of engagement with the pin L and release the connecting plate to permit the same to be snapped into its closed circuit position by the spring is. In the return movement of the connecting plate to the open circuit position, the pin L will ride over the upperface Z of the pawl and move the same against the action of the spring Z to permit the pin Lf to-pass to the position shown in Fig. 5. Other means could be employed for holding the connecting plate in its open or closed position until released by the movement of the contact arm.

The current controlling device described 1 shows diagrammatically the electrical conclosed before the arm nections which might be employed when the device is used for controlling the supply of current to an arc lamp, for example, in a projecting lantern or apparatus. M represents an electric generator or other source ofcurrent supply, one 'terminal'of which is connected by means of a conductor m to the binding post e which is connected to the stationary switch member E. The other terminal of the generator is connected by means of a conductor m to a terminal m of the panel A, from which to an arc lamp m. A conductor m leads from the arc. lamp to a terminal at of the panel which is connected by means of a conductor m"- with the last of the segments 1).

In the operation of the device the current flows from the generator through conductor m to the switch member E, and if the. switch I is closed, the current flows from this switch member through the connecting plate G,

switch member F and contact arm B to the 7 segment 6 with which the arm is in contact and then through any resistance units 0 which may be located between this segment and the conductor m.- The current passes through conductor m", terminal m and con- 7 ductor m to the arc lamp m, and then through conductor m terminal m and conductor m to the generator M.

The parts of the device are so arranged that when the contact arm is moved from its open circuit position, the switch w1ll be leaves the first of the segments 1). Similarly on moving the contact arm in the-reverse direction, the current will not be shut off until after the arm has again returned to the same segment b. The device is very desirable, since it necessitates the manipulation of only one part to open and close the circuit and to regulate the flow of current.

'The use of the snap switch of the construction described is not limited to current controlling devices of the kind described, and other forms of sna switches could also be employed in connection withthe controlling device if desired.

I claim as my invention:

1. The combination with a movable member, of a stationary switch member, a connecting member adapted to be moved into and out of engagement with said stationary switch member by said movable member, a detent pivoted on said connecting member and adapted to prevent the movement of the connecting member out of its engaging position, and means on said movable member for swinging the detent on its pivot for permitting the connecting mem r to move a conductor m leads out of its engaging position, substantially asset forth.' v

2; The combination with a movable member, of. a stationary switch member, a conber, of a stationary switch member, a con-' necting member adapted to engage said stationary switch member, an arm pivoted at one end on said movable member and yieldingly connected thereto at its free end, said arm being adapted to engage said connectmg member for moving the same out of its engaging position, a detent pivoted on said connecting member for holding said connecting member from moving out of its engaging position, and means on the movable member for actuating said detent to permit said pivoted arm to swing said connecting member out of its engaging position, substantially as set forth.

4. The combination with a movable member, of a stationary switch member, a connecting member adapted to be moved into and out oi -engagement withsaidstationary switch member, a lever pivoted on said connectingmember, resilient means for resisting the swinging of said lever on its pivot,

means on said movable member which are adapted to engage said lever to swing the connecting member into its engaging position, means for holding the connectingmember against movement into its engaging position, and means actuated by said movable member for releasing said holding means of the connecting member to permit said connecting member to be swung into its engaging position by the engagement of said lever with said movable member, substantially as set forth.

5. The combination with a movable member, of a stationary switch member, a connecting member ada ted to engage said stationary switch -mem r, an arm pivoted at one end on said movable member and yieldingly connected thereto at its free end, said arm being adapted to engage said connecting member for moving the same out of its engaging position, a detent pivoted on said connecting member for holding said connecting member from moving out of its engaging posltlon and adapted to be actuated by said movable member for releasing said connect ng member, a lever pivoted on said connecting member, resilient means for resisting the swinging of saidlever on its said movable member for releasing said conpivot, means on said movable member for meeting member, substantially as set forth. 10 engaging said lever to swing the connectin Witness my hand, this 19th day of May, member into its engaging position, an 1.913.

5 'means pivoted on said movable member for I HARVI EY N. OTT

holding the connecting member against move- Witnesses: ment into its engaging position, said hold- Com FACKLAM,

ing means being adapted to be actuated by Loms M. Poms. 

